SNOW DAY!!!

Dottie and I are cuddling inside today because school was canceled!! Yippee!

And guess what? We're going to leave the shoveling up to Jay when he gets home from work.

EXPIRED!!!

My purpose for this post is twofold. The title, however, is appropriate on both accounts.

#1 - Overall, my enthusiasm for winter weather has EXPIRED. Today the windchill was -21, and anyone who is reading this in Iowa knows this isn't the first time we've seen it this year. The kiddos can't go outside for recess and they are all cooped up and stir-crazy indoors. All whining aside, Dottie and I shoveled another few inches of snow today after work and had a little fun despite the frigid temperatures. We play our shoveling game, and Dottie thinks it's about as much fun as she's ever had.
Our game works very simply:
- Kelsey scoops up snow in the shovel
- Dottie sneaks up on the shovel and sniffs it
- Kelsey and Dottie exchange sneaky glances
- Kelsey throws the snow up in the air
- Dottie runs away from the "scary" snow
-Repeat : )
I'm doing my best to stay active and think positively during his FREEZING weather!! : ) Think warm thoughts!

# 2 - Yesterday, Jay cleaned out our cupboards and refrigerator and gave me a lesson on expiration dates. In the six months we've been married he's never really done a dig-through of the cupboards in my err...our house. And, well, turns out we had some expired products in them. For anyone who has seen my 8 ft. by 8 ft. kitchen, you now must be wondering how many expired food products could I possibly acquire in such a teeny space?This much. (Darned photographer caught me not looking)

This chore worked very simply as well:
- Jay digs in cupboard and pulls out food product
- Kelsey says, "That's ___!! That doesn't expire! That's still good!"
- Kelsey and Jay exchange mischievous glances
- Jay announces expiration date
- Jay throws the product in garbage sack
- Kelsey groans and goes into a giggle fit, "That was fine, I swear!"
-Repeat : )

This chore went on for nearly a half an hour until we had rid ourselves of all expired products, laughed until we cried, and realized my high hopes of being a master in the kitchen are nowhere in my future.

Who knew things like Crisco, rice, vegetable oil, chocolate chips, marshmallows, jello, salad toppers, taco shells, nuts, and even karo syrup expires? Okay, probably most people, but not me.


The oldest food item? Those "autumn" sprinkles right there in my hand. Expiration date? September 2006. Yep, those babies have been with me since college.

Here's the deal though, I have been EATING THIS FOOD. Eating it pretty consistently and NOT getting ill or dying. Yah, yah, Jay made me throw away all my expired food, but I think it's a bunch of mumbo jumbo. This exercise has literally taught me nothing. If anything, I now think that this is all a conspiracy created by the grocery stores to get you to buy more products before you actually need them. Also, I'm pretty positive that sprinkles don't expire, EVER. But whatever. Have it your way. Lol.

Back to School

Well, it's been a great Christmas break filled with lots of relaxation, time with friends and family, and some good food, too.

I'm looking forward to an eventful 2009 and I guess it's time to go back to these goofballs tomorrow.

Thanks for the rolling pin!

When Jay and I got married, like any normal couple, we registered for many kitchen-related items. I think we both hoped that if I started cooking with my new pots and pans, we'd discover that with a little E-V-O-O, a spoonula of this, and a dash of that, I'd be the next Rachel Ray. Yummo! Meals in under 30 minutes. So far, the only delicious food that has come to our house in under 30 minutes is take-out.

I've alluded to my lack of kitchen experience in previous blogs. I've not yet picked up on the art of cooking or baking that by all accounts I should have inherited by my super-talented mom. I may be partial to her cooking - but I swear she's never made a bad meal. I made my first attempt at a not-Stouffer's lasagna the day after Christmas for my parents and my in-laws. It was actually really fun to make and the end result was edible. Maybe I'll try more cooking in the future.

Today, however, I used one of my new kitchen utensils for the first time. I'm not sure this was the purpose the gift-giver (who I'm pretty sure was my grandma) had in mind when they gifted this to me. But seriously, what a great tool! : )

Thanks Grandma! :) It's getting plenty of use.

We finally decided to do something with our DISGUSTING back steps. They have been driving me nuts practically since I moved into my house. Here is a sneak peak at the progress. I'll post official befores-and-afters when the project is finished.

This is the landing - we usually have a rug on it to hide the hideousness of it.

Unfortunately, the reason I am posting a blog right now and not working on my project is that Miss Slippery fingers had a little run-in with the utility knife while cutting a tile.

Here I am in pain and angry that I am not going to be able to finish this project today.

A gruesome shot of my thumb. No, that's not ketchup on the paper towel.

(Sidenote: If anyone was super observant, you would notice that when I was working with my rolling pin earlier, my left thumb was protected by a safety glove. Rolling pins can be rather dangerous, you know. That means that this genius took the glove off and then picked up a razor blade and cut.her.thumb.apart.)

Where's Jay? Playing video games and taking my picture. Love ya hubby. ; )

Habitat for Gingermanity

My dad has warned me about the dangers of buying a pre-fabricated house. He said that quality is sacrificed for convenience in the construction of the home.

Back up, you know the kinds I'm talking about, right? Those are the ones where all of the pieces get shipped to you from some magical house factory in some mystical land where only homes are made. After you receive a few simple shipments, POOF your home is built in weeks! How idyllic.

Not really. Tonight I partook in a project Jay happily dubbed "Habitat for Gingermanity." In just a few short hours I built a home with my own two hands out of prefabricated materials for a gingerbread family in need. I'm not kidding you, it was something that could have qualified for Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

Here's how it all went down:

Step 1: Since I have only home-constructing ability and no cookie-constructing ability, lay out store-bought gingerbread making materials.


Step 2: Every home begins with a good foundation. This one looked pretty solid.

Step 3: Put together the walls. Yes, they were leaning.


Step 4: Prepare the framing of the house for roof. See any potential problems coming my way?

Step 5: Oh, crap.

(face blurred to protect a look too embarrassing for the internet)

Let's try Step 5 again: Reinforce the frame of the house with a LOT more frosting. Secure roof. Nothing could knock this baby down.


Step 6: Beautification. (The designer looks a little worried...)


Step 7: "MOVE THAT BUS!!!" Look how thrilled the happy couple is to see their new home!


Step 8: An up-close look at the design of this one-of-a-kind home.

The front door...first impressions are everything.

Unique architecture on the roof. (Trying to make the Schrages proud)

Quality landscaping.


Leaves you with a smile. :)

Meet the people who made this all possible:

And their little dog, too.


Wow, what an exhausting, but gratifying couple of hours. For any of you out there looking for a good cause to support this holiday season, consider Habitat for Gingermanity. It will change your life.

Christmas Cheer!

We got a package in the mail today!!! I LOVE getting things in the mail that aren't bills, junk mail, or fliers to buy things that I don't want to buy or vote for. So you might guess that the holiday season totally excites me.

I have a love-hate relationship with the mail. Because, the fact of the matter is, most of the time the only things that come in the mail are bills, junk, or fliers for things I don't want to buy or vote for.

But today, when I got home from a super long day at school, a cardboard parcel of holiday heaven was waiting for me!!

Anyways, inside the package was this fabulous Christmas decoration from my aunt Mindy. The little tree inside rotates and plays music. The picture doesn't do it justice, it has some really neat details.

Thanks so much, Mindy! It's beautiful, and it's proudly displayed in our living room. I'll think of you every year when I use it.